It isn't hard for me to read a story and wonder what would have happened if......... perhaps a scene, or an ending can be reinvented. Perhaps a character could have a particular flaw or trait that would make them unique. Perhaps it could have taken place in a different location or time. All of these could create a totally new story.
I love the movies, or television shows that have twist after twist in their plot. You are following along thinking you have it all figured out, and then bam!! Unexpected twist! That takes some creative thinking on the writer's part. These plot twists and character twists have to be well thought out in advance of writing the story. Sure sometimes you can be writing along and something wonderful / or sinister, pops into your thoughts, but as for the characters, they should be well developed long before you sit down to write about their secretive pasts. That way you can add in their personality, and their strengths and flaws as you go along.
Someone once told me you can use up junk mail or spam to create interesting stories. I rarely read junk mail, but without a doubt you could find some interesting thoughts and ideas within them. Never, ever count out a source. If you have a creative imagination, you can find stories every where.
Create a history of the next person you see walking down the street - what is their story? I love to people watch. It is one of my favorite things to do, because I love to think of what their story might be. What got them to the place they are at? What might their day look like? What might their future look like? Their family? You see where I am going with this? You could create a whole story about a person you see walking down the street, or jogging along the path at the top of the river, or the person sitting on the park bench overlooking the city.
Listening to others conversations is a great way to pick up on juicy stories. I don't condone listening in on private conversations, but if someone is speaking loudly about things in their life....... well whose to say you can't overhear, right? Just listening to every day conversations is what we do, and it is easy to pick up on great stories, or character ideas. Be attentive, because life is happening all around you!
I have used writing prompts as well. Pinterest is full of thousands and more, writing prompts for absolutely every possible genre. A few hours later - literally, pinterest is one of my weaknesses - and you can have hundreds of writing prompts to roll with. Pictures on pinterest can also lead to some pretty strong emotions and tell some powerful stories. Even just browsing through someones pinterest board on any random topic can lead to a plethora of topics and ideas. Just roll with it and have fun!
Have your eyes open to life around you in everything you see, do, smell, feel, think, touch, hear, and on and on and you will never have a lack of stories to write about.
Be alert! Pay attention! Stories are everywhere! A tweak here and there, and you have a fabulous story!
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